Commercial Underwriter

Vivo Talent; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

An entrepreneurial financial institution is seeking a Commercial Lending Underwriter to join their dynamic credit team. This role offers the chance to support UK SMEs by delivering tailored funding solutions across various commercial lending products. You will collaborate closely with Relationship Managers and Operations, ensuring sound credit decisions and excellent customer outcomes. The ideal candidate will have strong underwriting experience, a customer-focused mindset, and the ability to work in a fast-paced, hybrid environment. If you're looking to make a meaningful impact in the financial sector, this opportunity is for you.

Qualifications

• Strong underwriting experience in commercial lending, ideally within a bank or alternative lender.
• Proven ability to assess SME credit risk and familiarity with regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Assess and underwrite new commercial lending proposals, including term loans and working capital.
• Prepare detailed credit papers and review financial accounts to determine borrower suitability.

Skills

Commercial Lending Underwriting

Credit Risk Assessment

Financial Analysis

Interpersonal Communication

Attention to Detail

Education

Degree in Finance or Related Field

Job description

Commercial Lending Underwriter / SME Lending / Term Loans / Working Capital / Permanent / Hybrid - 2 Days in Birmingham

Our client, a fast-growing and entrepreneurial financial institution, is seeking a highly capable Commercial Lending Underwriter to join their collaborative credit team. This is an exciting opportunity to support the delivery of tailored funding solutions to UK SMEs, working across a broad spectrum of commercial lending products. You will work closely with Relationship Managers, Credit Risk, and Operations to assess and underwrite structured loans, ensuring sound credit decisions and excellent customer outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Assess and underwrite new commercial lending proposals, including SME term loans, working capital facilities, and asset-backed finance
• Prepare detailed credit papers with supporting analysis, approving or recommending deals in line with mandate and policy
• Review financial accounts, forecasts, and business plans to determine borrower affordability and suitability
• Liaise with Relationship Managers and introducers to clarify deal structure, documentation, and security requirements
• Reassess and monitor existing credit exposures, ensuring ongoing compliance with internal risk appetite and regulatory obligations
• Act as a credit liaison between internal stakeholders and third-party brokers, maintaining clear, timely communication and rationale
• Contribute to the development of underwriting processes and standards, promoting efficiency and continuous improvement
• Uphold the Bank's values and commitment to responsible, transparent lending

Experience

• Strong underwriting experience in commercial lending, ideally within a bank, challenger, or alternative lender
• Proven ability to assess SME credit risk, including trading businesses and property-backed borrowers
• Solid understanding of financial statements, lending covenants, and security structures
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements relevant to commercial finance (e.g. BCOBS, SME Lending Code)
• Experience with end-to-end deal assessment and working in a mandate-led environment

Qualifications & Personal Characteristics

• A customer-focused mindset, committed to delivering thoughtful, fair, and effective lending decisions
• Excellent analytical judgement and attention to detail
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, able to work collaboratively across teams
• Self-motivated and proactive, with a continuous improvement approach
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-autonomy environment with hybrid flexibility